Monday 3 December 2012

If it's hurting Arsene, it's killing me!

Boos at the stadium, banners wanting the manager out, a big defeat! Well that is enough about the Chelski crisis let us talk Arsenal!

So Arsene is hurting and even hinted in the Sunday Mail that he may look at the end of the season and assess his position. Steve Bould blasting the team this morning, "You've been letting us down all season". A team which looked like it would poo it's pants if they had the ball longer than 30 seconds then the chairman has a heart attack (Get well soon by the way PHW). Sound like a problem or a crisis?

It is now our worst start under Wenger and why is this happening? Listening to the "Press Pass on radio last night Matt Law stated that there is £200 million in the bank, that is surprising? Not really. We have a board which now lacks a football man's influence. With David Dean at least we had someone who knew football, now we just have business men and Wenger is looked on, not just as the team manager but also as the chief executive when it comes to football matters. These guys may know the business and banking world but are clueless when it comes to knowing what a football player is, let alone what position they play or if they are good for the club. Keeping the club in the black and viable is an admirable trait but not at the expense of the team competing on the pitch. A football team is there to compete, win things, sadly at our club that is no longer the case!

With Kroenke drooling over possible dividends, Gazidis and Wenger on top whack wages, tickets prices freezing out the genuine fans it's no wonder we are not the first port of call for top class players. In fact looking at the Van Pursie situation it looks like he was right to head for the exit. A player plays to win, both for his team and himself. I would not be surprised to see further stars leave but Gazidis will be happy as we will have another season of profit!

The AGM fiasco was the tip of the iceberg and unless someone grabs the club by the scruff of the neck and shakes some reality into it Arsenal are heading back to mid table mediocrity of the 70's and eighties. I do not have the answers, if I did I would be running the club. I do fear the future and hope that someone is listening to the fans at Arsenal. 1k plus at the BSM march says something!

Cheers

Arsenal Darkman

Friday 14 September 2012

Arsenal v Southampton preview and Stuff!

Thank god the Inter lull is over, this is my first post for GFS so let me tell you dear readers now that I have no patience or interest in Internationals or anything that puts money into Sepp Blatters ever growing wallet or panders to FIFA's ever growing ego. However it is gone for while now so we can get back to proper football. After all that is why you come here? To read about Arsenal? Thought so.

This weekend sees Arsenal actually playing at home on a Saturday at 3pm. I did at one point think we were a Sunday team so it is good to see normality return. That is of course unless you cannot get to a game and long for televised Arsenal match at your local bar. Tough living in the UK so I do envy our fans abroad who get to watch games live. However I will be at the game, rubbing salt in the wound? Ah well!

So Southampton are currently bottom of the Premier, Nigel Adkins' side will be using this trip to gain points. Arsenal, now 8th with five points will want to continue in the vain of the Liverpool win, keep a clean sheet again for a fourth game. Amazing that you have to go 1924/25 for the last time we went three unbeaten. I have no doubt that Steve Bould is having an influence here. I also hope Giroud gets a goal to get that monkey off his back. As several people have been commenting, lets hope we have a Henry/Bergkamp awakening as we do seem to have luck against Southampton.

It would be wrong to write off Southampton in this match. Their game against Man Utd shows they are not to be under estimated but if Arsenal can keep their composure I am hopeful for a result. Here are some Opta facts for you.

  • Southampton have allowed their opponents more shots on target against them than any other team (19)





  • Arsenal have allowed their opponents the joint-fewest shots on target in the Premier League (7)






  • The players missing for Arsenal after internationals will be Walcott with a virus (possible agent speak for sulking) and Diaby who is rated at 50/50 but don't hold your breath. For Southampton Guly Do Prado could be dropped for admitting drink driving. Perhaps he and Santos could have a chat!

    Arsenal (from): Szczesny, Jenkinson, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arteta, Podolski, Giroud, Mannone, Koscielny, Ramsey, Santos, Coquelin, Gervinho, Djourou.

    Southampton (from): K Davis, Gazzaniga, Richardson, Butterfield, Clyne, Fox, Shaw, Yoshida, Hooiveld, Fonte, Seabourne, Stephens, Chambers, Ward-Prowse, Do Prado, Chaplow, Cork, De Ridder, Ramirez, Lallana, Schneiderlin, Puncheon, Hammond, S Davis, Lambert, Lee, Rodriguez, Mayuka.

    As for stuff? Well Wenger does not want to discuss a new contract but just to focus on doing well. That makes a change for someone at Arsenal not to be bleating about money etc. Sagna has upset people with his comments on selling players etc. Be careful what you wish for I say. I still feel that something is wrong deep inside Arsenal but will leave that for another day.

    Fingers crossed for the weekend all and see you on the other side.

    Arsenal Darkman

    Wednesday 5 September 2012

    Arsenal vs Liverpool match report‏

    Arsenal vs Liverpool match report
    Liverpool vs Arsenal would be the Gunners first game against a team of top four prestige. One might argue that Liverpool have abandoned that reputation, and quite rightly so. The Reds have failed to make a top four since the 08/09 season (where they finished 2nd). All considered, they were still a tough team to beat.

    Liverpool made a bright start and was the dominant team in the first half. However, Arsenal’s defence was solid and Liverpool failed to penetrate it, a frustration which would continue throughout the match (Frustration for Liverpool and their fans of course) .At one point the Reds practically set up shop in our half and threw attack after attack at the Gunners defence. The Arsenal counterattacks were impressive, they exposed the Liverpool defence over and over, until Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski combined in a 70yard attack scored the match’s first goal. Podolski caught a sleeping Gerard in possession. The ball eventually found Cazorla, who made a dashing run through the Liverpool defence. Podolski made a staggering run of about 70yards to support the Spanish midfielder. Cazorla had two options, pass to his right and hope Giourd can find the target or supply the galloping Podolski. Cazorla chose the more sensible option, he stepped inside and then outside confusing the Liverpool defence (which was already disorganised as a result of the intelligent Giroud sidesteps) and passed the ball to Podolski. The German international made no mistake and shot the ball across the view of Pepe Reina into the right corner of the box.

    My family looked rather perplexed at the sight of me running around jumping with tears in my eyes. Two hundred and something minutes without scoring had tensed me up that much.
    The Gunners were more confident now, and played excellently for the rest of the match. There were some scary moments in our defence but we kept a well-deserved clean sheet. Liverpool should have had at least one penalty though.

    The second half goal for Cazorla was rather similar to the first. But it was just as special. The little Spanish sensation shot straight through the fumbling Reina, scoring his first goal in an Arsenal shirt.

    It was a great match to watch and extremely entertaining. The Gunners will go into the international break with an unbeaten streak of three games and as the only team in the league who haven’t conceded yet.

    Really looking forward the Southampton match. They’re a strong team as they proved, but they will face the league’s best defence. I fancy another clean sheet win for Arsenal.

    Laters J

    A Very positive Ghost

    Monday 3 September 2012

    Several wrongs and a big Liverpool right!

    Hello and welcome to this which for me is my first blog of the new season.
    Firstly i'd like to thank all my followers for their continued support and kind words last season.
    As im sure your all aware, i have now changed my name to KatiesGooner85 and that name change is due to my engagement over the summer.
    In todays post i hope to cover a little bit of everything, my thoughts on the summer signings and my overall opinion on the club and finally the Liverpool game.
    right so here we go...
    In my 24+ years of supporting Arsenal i find it hard pushed to think of a summer as stressful as the one that has just passed us by. 3 great signings in Podolski, Giroud and Cazorla really had me excited for the new season, but as is always the way with Arsenal it soon went downhill. Rvp released that statement and Song followed him out the door a week after Robins "little boy inside" decided his piggy bank wasnt heavy enough.
    With nearer £80m in the bank we all sat there on the final day of the window expecting Mr Wenger to put his hand in his pocket and spend some money, but as time ticked on and the closer it got to 11pm it became clear that it was never going to happen. Twitter was not a very nice place to be that evening and im sure some of you reading this read my tweets as i was rather vocal myself.
    The question you have to ask yourself is why?
    Why wasn't money invested?
    Some blamed Wenger, some Kroenke and some Gazidis. I myself happen to blame all three.
    Since 'Silent Stan' rocked up it seems we have been more interested in making money than the overall success of the club.
    Gazidis seems unable to tie down a transfer target or renue a contract, and as for Wenger he seems the man that has to take the brunt of the abuse.
    We've all been told to wait till January so thats what i'm going to do, and if nothing materialises then, then things need to be changed and certain people should be sacked.
    Now onto the Liverpool game. A game which promised a lot and didnt fail to live up to expectation.
    2 bloody 0!!!! what a result and so far the display of the season. Cazorla was superb, Podolski was strong and Diaby's play at times was mouth watering. The introduction of Steve Bould as assistant manager has made us look strong and im full of praise for the work he has done with the first team so far. My fact of the day is that out of all the 92 teams in the football league only one has conceeded no goals this season? can you guess who that team is? ;-)
    Anyways enough from me for one day and i look forward to writing for you all again very soon
    Much Love
    @KatiesGooner85

    Saturday 1 September 2012

    Old Ladies & Arsenal!

    Helllllllllooooo there sports fans!!!!!

    Here we are back in the football season and I for one am a happy bunny!  Listening to everyone on twitter over the summer bitching and moaning bout who's going, who's getting signed, was like listening to a bunch of old women on the bus... LOL!! Glad that over, and the transfer window is firmly closed and we can get on with supporting the team.

    We got a pretty good Champions League draw, with Schalke, Olympiacos, and Giroud's old team Montpellier. I personally think Schalke will be the toughest to beat.  If other seasons are to be brought in tho, we seem to step up to the harder teams and the lesser teams can't seem to get a goal in... Frustrating to say the very least, I know, but hey, let's look forward!

    Right now with a slow start we are 13th on the Premiership table. Not great but at least the media isn't saying we're going down at the end of season, like they were this time last year and we finished 3rd and are still in the Champions League. Tomorrow is Liverpool at Anfield, we haven't lost at Anfield since 2008. At the risk of 'Murray-Walkering' it lets hope it's a win instead of another draw.  A win would put us up to 7th on the table and 6 jumps in the right direction!

    There's alot of talk about players needing to gell with the rest of the team and this is where our magician of a manager comes to play.. Wenger will get them playing together and playing well. I have faith in our team and in our manager.  Yes, we lost RVP, but hell, he only played well for one season so what's all the fuss about? good riddance.  I doubt any other club has lost so many first class players almost every season and could still keep up!

    Sooooo!  Heads held high, let's get behind the team and kick some Scoucer butt tomorrow!!!

    Come on you GUNNERS!!!!!

    Take care guys!
    Surfergirl x  

    Tuesday 28 August 2012

    Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland‏

    Arsenal's first match of the 2012/2013 season ended in an extremely upsetting 0-0 draw at a sun-drenched Emirates Stadium. Quite the unexpected result, as many supporters, myself included, had high expectations for the clash. Expectations mainly due to the fact that we signed some quality players thus far in the transfer window. Was the 34 degree Celsius heat the cause? Or was it plainly the fact that Sunderland piled a plethora of defenders into their box every time we attempted to attack? It was obvious that Giroud and Podolski (Although he had a superb match VS Cologne) would take a while to gel well with the rest of the squad. Cazorla had a great debut in which he displayed why he will be arguably the best signing of the summer.
    Match positives were: The Gunners played with a solid defence only allowing the off half chance. We looked quite good in attack, although the lack of finishing did set the course for the rest of the match. As I mentioned earlier, Cazorla had a great debut, hopefully his pitch perfect cross and pass ability will continue. Gervinho played an iffy first quarter, but once his nerves settled he played well and was arguably our best attacker of the day. Szczesny and the back four kept a clean sheet and defended our goal well. We had an absolute overwhelming amount of position and territory.We got one point…
    Match negatives: We were to slow in attack at times, which could be forgiven due to the “un-footballer friendly heat”. Although they were few, our lapses in defence were rather stupid and unnecessary. We gave the ball away cheaply now and then. We failed to find the target consistently.
    Score
    Arsenal
    0 – 0(HT 0 – 0)
    Sunderland
    Possession
    70% 70.0
    30%
    Corners
    7
    0
    Goal attempts
    23
    4
    On target
    3
    2
    Fouls
    12
    9
    Offside
    2
    1
    Arsenal
    · Wojciech Szczesny,
    · Carl Jenkinson,
    · Per Mertesacker,
    · Thomas Vermaelen,
    · Kieran Gibbs,
    · Santiago Cazorla,
    · Mikel Arteta,
    · Vassiriki Abou Diaby (Aaron Ramsey, 69),
    · Theo Walcott (Andrey Arshavin, 77),
    · Lukas Podolski (Olivier Giroud, 64),
    · Gervinho
    Sunderland
    · Simon Mignolet,
    · John O'Shea,
    · Carlos Cuéllar,
    · Sebastian Larsson (David Meyler, 79),
    · Jack Colback,
    · Craig Gardner,
    · Kieran Richardson,
    · Lee Cattermole,
    · James McClean,
    · Stéphane Sessegnon (Louis Saha, 64),
    · Fraizer Campbell (Ahmed Elmohamady, 69)
    Referee
    Chris Foy
    Venue
    Emirates Stadium
    Attendance
    60,078

    Monday 9 July 2012

    Thursday 5 July 2012

    RVP.....A BIG PLAYER......???

    How big is Robin Van Persie.....? That's the question most of all have failed to ask and possibly get the right answers to...When our dear Thierry Henry was with us,we saw how big a player her was...Banging in goals after goals and bringing those trophies home...
    Everybody in world football are all screaming about how big RVP is and how he needs to move on to another club to win trophies...But hey,lemme ask u....How big has RVP been since we signed him in 2004 from Feyernoord....Any answers....Any.....? The truth here is that a player cannot have just one good season since 2004 and automatically becomes a superstar with SO many demands.....
    Don't get me wrong guys, RVP is a fantastic player who "scores whenever he wants" But I always wonder what could have been if he had been able to stay fit for more seasons...We would have won more trophies?
    AFC deserves his loyalty if not for anything else but for paying him every single week and not getting our moneys worth...Sentiments you call it!!! I call it believing in a course and a club that has brought fame and fortune...

    THERE IS LIFE AFTER RVP?

    It would be devastating to watch him leave after just one good season....But I'm sure there is life after him...When Henry left,i remember a friend telling me that was the end of AFC....And there came Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor who banged in 30 goals...The ghost of Henry was no where to be found coz we had found a goal poacher in him & if he had stayed, he would have achieved a lot more...Nobody at that time talked about RVP for obvious reasons...
    Adebayor left and there came the emergence of RVP scoring like there was no tomorrow...And he is the superstar that we all know he is.

     So do the maths....If he leaves,we have Podolski and Giroud who can fill his shoes....RVP was not a household name when we signed him and today he is....There is no doubt that Giroud can have the same devastating effect....RVP wanted us to show ambition and we sure ain't doing badly...He just needs to tell us what he wants exactly?

    Looking forward to the coming season and hoping RVP eventually stays......
    @ade12_arsenal

    Wednesday 4 July 2012

    RVP! Don't fool me Robin, its money!

    Well it's official. Robin Van Persie does not want a contract with Arsenal as he is worried that the club is going in the wrong direction, cannot win trophies, cannot compete and not going where he thinks Arsenal should be! Sorry, I thought Arsene Wenger was the manager?

    Don't get me wrong, he has been a great captain, but one great season a legend does not make. What does this say to the other Arsenal players eh? Yes your good lads but your not capable of winning anything so if you don't mind I am off to somewhere that can, Oh and by the way I shall earn alot than more than you by doing so!
    Yup, once again Agents (inset your own word for agent here) have bent the ear of an Arsenal player "your worth so much more" fawn fawn "best for you" and then running all the way to the bank!
    Why not be honest Robin? Thank the fans the right way, say this is your last chance at a big move, you want to do right by your family but do not blame Arsenal. That is just a blatant use of player power, supported by agents, which in my humble opinion makes a mockery of the " I love everything at Arsenal, all the the staff I know by first name etc" Yes he did say that!

    What Next

    Sell, sorry but Arsenal have no option, as with Nasri, if they are unhappy get rid. The kind of influence he has at the club will make it impossible for other players to take to the pitch with confidence. Now in some ways I do blame the board, this insistence on not spending and being viable is just another phrase for profit. Again just my opinion but one that is shared by alot of fellow Gooners!

    So Arsenal, sell and sell now! I spoke to both @Dognash1 and @Mattcarr85 two months ago warning of Man Citeh interest and that the amounts would turn his head. Am I happy about that? NO, Am I ITK? NO! I was just talking to friends who worked in the business and was advised of the offers going about. However I always hoped at the back of my head that he would prove me wrong.

    So |Robin, thanks, for last season you were on track to become a legend, you were relied upon to pull us out of the coals, you did so. I will always be grateful for all that you did but that was last season. I do not know the player you are now and the sooner your gone the better in my view. We do not need another Nasri. All I ask for is honesty, something lacking in your announcement today. As they say in the Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, "so long and thanks for all the Fish!

    @Arsenadale

     

    Monday 2 July 2012

    Juve offered how much? Also Euro Final view.

    Well, Juventus has tested the water with an estimated £8 million bid for Robin Van Persie. Yes £8million! Now given that he had a poor Euro tournament it is still a low offer so it is no suprise that Arsenal rejected it. They really will have to up the amount to match Arsenal's valuation but I doubt if this will be their first and last try to land our captain. Also with PSG and Man City sniffing around it could lead to a bidding war. Talking of City, Mancini is playing his cards close to his chest. He has been quoted as saying "Van Persie? He is an Arsenal player and I don't want to disrespect Wenger." Given his Tevez turn around I take anything he says with a large packet of salt. Well that's all from me for now so will hand over to @ade12_arsenal for his view on last nights final.

    SPAIN ARE CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE AGAIN

    And they are worthy champions....What a game...What an amazing game of football...They came to show the world that they are indeed the best team in world...They came,they saw and the conqured....again! They have made history ,done what no team has never done...Retained their title and make it a hatrick of trophies....

    DISAPPOINTING ITALIANS

    To say they disappointed is saying it mildly...The mid-field was poor and the defence;shocking...There was no rhythm about their play and it was hard to believe that this was the same team that played the Spaniards in the group stage...Even the spectacular Pirlo found it hard to dictate the game from mid-field...It was a disastrous final game for the Italians...They just did not click on the night that was the most important...This was probably the last chance for some of these players to make it count,but sadly ,it was not meant to be for them...

    Congratulations to the World and European Champions....

    @ade12_arsenal

    Saturday 30 June 2012

    Goodbye Yossi and a quick Arsenal round up!

    I have said it before and I will say it again. I hate this time of year! With very little Arsenal news and the only football game is Sunday (tomorrow) I feel I am scratching around for something to write. Hey ho, perhaps I should be looking for inspiration from a large bottle of something?

    It is a goodbye to Yossi Benayoun as his loan spell ends today and he goes back to Chelski. I would like to thank Yossi, he has been a brilliant player for us, under used at times but gave us some very important goals at the end of the season and he has a history of hurting Spurs with goals. Remember Lasagnegate? He scored for West Ham then too so they missed Champions League football! Farewell and thanks Yossi!




    Another player going today is Almunia. He really did fall out of favour but I will remember him fondly for allowing me to use the nickname "Tin Foil" Get it? Oh never mind! He played 175 times since joining in 2004 and along with David Seaman he holds the record for the most successfull keeper in penalty shoot outs, Doncaster, Sheffield Utd and AS Roma. Also leaving are Gavin Hoyte, Rhys Murphy, James Campbell, George Brislan-Hall and Jeffery Monakana. Good luck to them all in their future careers!



    Finally team GB, without David Beckham( he looks like the mask from the film V for Vendetta ), will also not feature Jack Wilshere (Thank god!), diving specialist Garath Bale but Ramsey and Gibbs included so I hope for our sake there are no injuries or I will be helping Pearce to walk funny in future. Psycho or not!

    Well transfer window open very soon so until then take care.
    Laters,
    The Dog

    Friday 29 June 2012

    GERMANY OUTPLAYED‏

    This was obviously not the game we had hoped for...Many football enthusiasts would have expected for a fire cracker,end to end stuff...But the Germans simply did not show up on the night...There was no outstanding player for the Germans as each player left their boots in the locker room...
    I seriously expected a lot more from the Germans considering the fact that they came out of the "Group of Death" with 9points,blowing everybody aside...It was just not their night....Not even a late penalty could save the day...Guess they'll have to wait a bit longer for their first competitive win against the Azzuris...

    ITALY THROUGH TO THE FINAL IN KIEV

    What a game by the Italians...They came to party and they sure had a fantastic party...Cassano, Montolivio, Chielleni Pirlo,and Super Mario all came to prove a point and boy,they did in style...This is arguably their best game thus far and I won't be shocked of they go all the way...If not for some wasteful finishes,there would have been more goals...Sami khedira forced a fantastic save from buffon....

    AGELESS PIRLO

    Even at the age of 32,he still has all the skills and passes some younger mid-fielders would be envious of...Precise passing,perfect control of the ball and understanding of the game still very much on point....How Ac Milan would be regretting letting him go...

    BALLOTELI THE HULK

    What a 2nd goal...Amazing!!! But the celebration was even more amazing...Oh well!!! Think he listened to the words of Gattuso who said earlier in the day that he hates the fact that he never celebrates a goal...Gattuso,hope you are satisfied....The Hulk pose was for you.....

    @ade12_arsenal

    Thursday 28 June 2012

    GERMANY vs ITALY‏

    Germany would be looking to go into the finals yet again and set up yet another finals with the reigning champions...But would be hoping to go one better this time...And it would be a show-piece final as both the Spaniards and Germans{if the qualify} would want to get their hands on the trophy...It would be re-called that the Germans were loosing finalists in 2008 and would be hoping to take their pound of flesh if they get through the Italians...

    KLOSE vs GOMEZ
    Joachim Low has some serious thinking to do as these two men are on a good run of form...Klose has 64 goals in 120games for his adopted country and is just 4goals short of Gerd Mullers all time scoring record...It is left to be seen if that gives him the nod ahead of Gomez...
    Gomez on the other hand,has scored 3goals so far and was in blistering form in the past season...
    I think low will go for Gomez and if he mis-fires,then there is a more than reliable back in Miroslav Klose...

    @ade12_arsenal

    SPAIN MAKES IT TO THE FINALS‏

    The reigning champions have qualified for the finals of the Euro 2012...It was an amazing game of football from both teams with both of them coming close on several occasions...Cristiano Ronaldo came close on many occasions,but it was not his night as many of the chances went begging...
    Andres Iniesta perhaps came closet on the night...It took an amazing save to deny him of what could have been the clincher for the Champions...
    Both teams in my opinion would have deserved the final ticket,but its a single ticket,so one team had to go through...

    HEARTBREAK YET AGAIN FOR CR7

    The look on his face said it all...It was not meant to be for Ronaldo as all his trickery and wizadry could not break the dead lock...He has been very unlucky in the national team as his team fell short on the night...The pain of penalty can never be over-emphasized...I was shivering like I was the one taking the penalty...I just had to wonder what those men would have been going through...The hopes of their entire nation were rested upon their tired shoulders...Big up CR7....You surely did your best....



    SERGIO RAMOS
    Hmmmmm....seemed like this man wanted to redeem himself for that horrible penalty kick @ the semi-finals of the champions league...He did it the "Pirlo style"

    On a final note,CONGRATULATIONS to SPAIN.....Im hoping for SPAIN vs GERMANY final in kiev.....

    @ade12_arsenal

    Wednesday 27 June 2012

    EL-CLASSICO at EURO 2012‏

    Yes....It's the el-classico at the euro 2012 coming up in some few hours...Will CR7 bring that blistering form of the past season into one of the biggest games in this calendar year? There is certainly no love lost between CR7 and some of the Spanish players,reasons not being far-fetched!
    Personally, I think CR7 is going to have the last laugh...Spain have not yet picked up in this tournament...They have not played that brand of football that they are renowned for...While CR7 chose the right time to peak...But as we know,a football match is not won on paper, it's on the field of play...You can look out on this page for proper analysis after the match...

    ARSENAL TABLE BID FOR ALAN DZAGOEV

    Cannot confirm the authenticity of this story...But it's being rumoured we are replacing the "little Russian" with yet another "little Russian". He had a good outing at the group stages where he scored 3goals...But its going to take some convincing as he is a self confessed Chelsea fan...Represented by Juan Mata's father and the Chelsea billionaire is Russian...We'll see how it goes....

    MAROUNE CHAMAKH SET FOR CLEAR THE AIR TALK

    Maroune Chamakh has been urged to sit with AW with regards to his future...Arsenal scout Grimandi says it is important to know if he is in the plans for the coming season...On a personal note, I don't think he is...With the arrival of Podolski and Giroud...And hoping RVP remains with the club, I don't see how he will fit in anywhere...But I must say here, he is a fine player who just did not hit the ground running.

    ON OTHER NEWS

    It seems we will be seeing AVB soon in the premiership...If stories making the rounds are to go by,then he'll be in the hot seat at White Hart Lane...Sorry AVB, you just might get sacked...Theres only 1 team in NORTH LONDON....The RED&WHITE army...
    And talk about ambition...Southampton has contacted Internacional for Leandro Damiao...It's left to be seen if they can match the £18m asking price...There have been inquiries from Man utd, Spurs, Juve and PSG....

    @ade12_arsenal

    Giruod's a Gunner!

    Finally...What we all have been waiting for has been confirmed...Olivier Giroud becomes a GUNNER...Not that I had any doubts anyway...These stories always find their way out even before its confirmed...





    OLIVIER GIROUD

    What exactly does he bring to AFC? We surely have read a lot about his capabilities...His explosive left foot,his physical presence in the box,his hunger for goals and a strong desire to succeed...There is no need going on about his abilities,we have all read that as Arsenal fans....But I can't wait to see that forward line next season...Hoping our talisman remains a GUNNER!!!

    M'VILA
    I'm hearing some stories this morning that "The Prof" is thinking of pulling the plug of further negotiations because of his off field personality and especially because he's being investigated by the FFA for misconduct...He's a fine player with strong capabilities....Sits very well in front of the back four and provides adequate cover for them and also a good link between the back four and the midfield...But his off the field behaviour is important too...Well,let's see wat AW does....He's a good judge of character....But I think we need him...Song has been very creative with his surging run upfront..And we know what that means,leaves us opened at the back and that's where M'vila comes in....Let's trust that AW knows exactly what to do....He has got us up and running very fast in the transfer window.

    This is my first write up and you can look out for a whole lot more.....
    @ade12_arsenal

    Sunday 24 June 2012

    Battle of Highbury, England V Italy History!

    Hello all,
       commenting on anything other than Arsenal is not the norm for GFS as regular readers will know but I just could not resist putting this out there today to show that there is always a link with with todays' game to Arsenals' past. I am wishing England all the best for this evening, especially to Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain but I hope the game is nothing like what happened at Highbury on this occasion!

    Highbury November 14 1934

    It was being called, in Italy, the most important game in their history, England were to face the Azzuri (world cup winners) at the home of Arsenal. There was a heavy Arsenal presence with this England team with seven, yes seven Arsenal players called in to the side, Tom Whittaker, Arsenals' trainer looking after the England team and even the Arsenal manager, George Allison giving commentary for the game.

    The Arsenal players involved were:
    Moss
    Male
    Hapgood (capt)
    Copping
    Bowden
    Drake
    Bastin
    The rest of the team was made up of the following players:
    Britton (Everton)
    Barker (Derby County)
    Stan Matthews (Stoke)
    Brook (Man City)

    EnglandItaly1934


    The Game

    Eddie Hapgood, the captain, later wrote that it was the dirtiest game of football he ever played in. Within thirty seconds England were given a penalty which Brook blasted but was well saved. He more than made up for that after nine minutes by heading home from a Matthews cross and then two minutes after his first goal he scored a free kick from just outside the penalty box to make it 2-0. This was when tempers began to flare and the game turned nasty.



    Hapgood was the first casualty with an elbow smash to the face and breaking his nose. In those days they did not have subs like we do now so he was taken off to be patched up so he could return to the game. Whilst he was off, Drake scored to make it 3-0 England but the battle was on. Hapgood returned to the game but his injury set the tone with studs, two footed tackles and elbows being as freely used as if it was a rugby game.

    Second half was not better, Brook had his elbow smashed and played the rest of the game with his arm strapped to his body and further facial fist injuries were inflicted upon Bastin and Bowden. With the coming and goings on the pitch the Italians were able to score mid way through the second half with two goals from Meazza but England were able to hang on and win the game 3-2. One writer at the time signed off his story as "from your war correspondent" which gives you a clear idea of the battle that had taken place. Two England players went to hospital after that game, Hapgood and Brook, with a further three needing treatment to cuts and fractures in the dressing room. The medical care at that time was more patch up and off you go! What was important however was a win from an England side that had a massive Arsenal influence.

    Good luck

    So to England tonight I say good luck and do us proud. Another strike from Walcott as in the Sweden game would not go amiss and although I would love to see a similar result as the score line as above I would not want to see a pitch battle. Besides having to watch the likes of ITV and Adrian Chiles covering the type of match above would be enough for me to put my foot through the tv.
    Ferret on a lead anyone? Mind numbing!



    On a final note look out for the GFS postings on all things transfer wise and forthcoming pre-season shenanigans. We will keep you up to date.

    Laters,
    The Dog


    Tuesday 19 June 2012

    T'was the season Part III

    Well it's the final part of the season review, not quite Lord of the Rings,so lets jump straight in!

    February 2012 (A fond farewell and strained relations)

    Arsenal's start to the month was pretty much where January signed off, deflating! Banners at the Emirates were the order of the day, both pro and anti Wenger. Now with me I feel that if you pay you also have a voice but there is a time and a place for it. As Gooner Dan said on 8th February, most are armchair fans and do not know why we sing "She wore a yellow ribbon". Anyway the first game of the month was a drab 0-0 away to Bolton, only to be followed by a 7-1 blasting for Blackburn at The Emirates. The came the league farewell again for the legend that is Henry away to Sunderland and he did what he always does. The Dog remarked that the goal might be worth the £600k paid for those three points alone. I will ask to borrow his crystal ball! The Champions League saw Henrys' last for Arsenal but no fairytale ending as Arsenal lost 4-0 and then out of the FA Cup to a team they had just beaten early, losing 2-0 to Sunderland. It all seemed so depressing but then came this!

    Spurs 5-2

    Roy Keane had been quoted this month that this was the worst Arsenal team he had ever seen and given the results of the previous weeks it seemed a par for the course win for the dreaded rivals and Arsenals' home. With Arshavin going out on loan, spirits low it did not help that Arsenal were 2-0 down and seemingly heading for another defeat. It was 34 minutes gone, Bale produced a swan dive for a penalty and Saha with a deflected goal, it looked as if another high score was on the cards. It took a man to show the fighting spirit Arsenal had been lacking, one I did not expect, in Sagna. His goal assisted by Arteta turned the tide and followed by a goal from RVP with a sublime strike. 2-2 at half time! The second half produced a goal fest for Arsenal with Rosicky finding the net and a resurgence of form followed by 2 goals from Walcott. He really did wake up in the second 45. Sagna summed up the game with the words "we could not lose to the enemy". How apt! A year since the defeat to Birmingham in the Carling Cup signalled a rally of Arsenal and a collapse of Spurs.


    Arsenal ended this month in 4th with won 14 drawn 4 lost 8 and 46 points. Six behind Spurs in third!
    GFS had 2 posts from Statto, new to the site but 3 caught my eye this month and they are around the Spurs game from The Beck, The Ghost and Surfergirl.


    March 2012 (Goodbye Champions League)
    Arsenal were now on a run of form and it continued with a 2-1 win against Liverpool with RVP at his best. Following this a win at home against Newcastle 2-1, the fourth comeback of the season, Everton away 1-0 and Aston Villa on the receiving end of a 3-0 at the Emirates.. The only blight on the league run was the final game of the month at QPR with Arsenal losing 2-1. After what Arsenal had been doing it disappeared in this game and it was a haunting from this season which would strike us again before it all ended. For me the highlight of this month had to be the following game.

    Milan 3-0
    After the run of form people were asking, is it possible they could do it? Could the comeback kings spring another shock? Well I thought so for the first 45 minutes. Three goals and it looked like more to come off the back of Koscielny, Rosicky and a RVP penalty. With another 45 minutes I, like other Gooners were dreaming of the impossible. What a slap in the face to our critics. Sadly dreaming was all it was. The second half saw an Arsenal team out of puff, drive and finally exhausted. What really struck me was the pride they showed, the fans reaction and a sense of satisfaction. OK we were out but what away to go. Also the hope it gave for the move up the league was immense and I was very proud of my club that night.
    So the month ended with Arsenals' league position as 3rd. Yes I know 3rd! HAHA Spurs 3rd!!!!! 31 played, won 18 drawn 4 lost 9 with 58 points. Three above Spurs (3rdHAHA) and..............MIND THE GAP!


    For GFS however not a great month. The Dog succumbed to Testicular Cancer, you did meet me so a big highlight there Dog, meant a low blogging month of only 7 bits. These 2 did catch my eye though.


    April 2012 (Oh Theo etc)

    The month of fools, well some anyway, began with the after taste of QPR leading to Adrian Durham starting his daily Arsenal digs to raise his ratings on Talksport. Well I did say fools! I have only one thing to say on this......Shock Jock my Arse........nal! Also Theo did not help matters with this quote....
    " With QPR we probably underestimated them. But it's always going to be a tough game. I felt that we didn't really want it as much as QPR did but that will change on Sunday" Oh No Theo!
    Where was I? Oh yes. Arsenal. A game was looming which, including the fool above, was already being hailed as a loss so Arsenal might as well not bother to turn up as it would be a further
    embarrassment. Some people should use another part of their anatomy to speak sense with!

    Man City 1-0


    A team destined to be champions it all looked to much for them. A flaky performance from the northern money bags, scared to death of winning? Just plain scared with Balotelli sent off (Does this player have a brain?) and no mental strength to speak of. Arsenal really ran the show and Arteta with a stunning 87th minute strike to seal the points. RVP was sharp and Rosicky a player reborn. Here is Mrs Fs' ans Shortstuffs' take on it.


    The month continued with a win over Wolves and a really good write up from the Ghost. I love the way he calls them Wolfs!


    However the wobbly Arsenal of this season returned with a 2-1 loss to Wigan, Chelsea and a 0-0 draw ending with a 1-1 draw with Stoke. Arsenals' league position was 3rd (3RD HAHA) with 36 played, won 20, drawn 6 and lost 10. 66 points and 4 ahead of Spurs in fourth but it was Arsenals to give away. Maybe Durham was right, NOT!

    GFS had more writers joining this month with Matt Carr and Tazwoz. Who knew they would be so popular. Also Ben in Black. Here are there first blogs.


    May 2012 (The end of the line)
    Two games left for Arsenal and some sadness to come as well as a final game to match the scene from Fever Pitch. (Happy days 1989).
    Norwich was the last game at home and saw The Dog get out of Hospital to see it. Arsenal had it all to gain or throw away!

    Norwich 3-3
    Given that Benayoun was finally having an impact at Arsenal it was fitting that he scored the first on his 32nd birthday to give his team the lead. "At the time" said The Dog "it looked as if we would romp away with it!" It was the start of an abject performance which saw Arsenal lose the lead twice and leave the fans on a knife edge. Sagna broke his leg again and having lost Arteta to injury the midfield was devoid of a play maker. There were sparks of genius and inept passing alike. A gifted third for Norwich gave the advantage to Spurs. Thankfully their season collapse continued with a draw at Villa and it was all down to the last game of the season. Was this also the final game at The Emirates for RVP? Time will tell.


    WestBrom 3-2
    Well here it was, the last game of the season. Both myself and The Dog were in Hospital for this but I got a stream and we watched the saga unfold. It was a day of goodbyes. Roy Hodgson off to all things England and Arsenal legend Pat Rice retiring as the ever faithful no2. A win, nothing else would do as going fourth would mean relying on other teams to help Arsenal clinch a Champions League spot. This was my first experience of watching an Arsenal Game with The Dog (sadly my last too) but I am not sure my nerves could take another. Arsenal started again taking the lead with Benayoun being gifted the opener by keeper Marton Fulop. "Bloody Norwich all over again" came from the Dog. He was right. Back came the resting on our backsides. First Long, who was offside, hit back followed by Dorrans to strike home. "For Gods sake Arsenal!" started this dialogue between us.
    Me "What?"
    Dog" It's bloody typical Arsenal!"
    Me "Yes Bud but it's not done yet!"
    Dog "Give me an Ice Hockey team to support!"
    Me "F@ck sake shut up!
    Nurse " Keep the noise down gentlemen"
    Us "Yes Santos!!!!!!!!!"
    So half time came, Spurs were comfortable at Fulham, Arsenal were.....well Arsenal.
    Second half and more of the feeling of being in a car with no brakes and hoping to hit a wall of mattresses. As we both watched the game it was obvious we were going from hope to despair every few minutes so the nurses left us to it.
    Dog "Can't bloody stand this"
    Me "Want it Arsenal"
    Dog "Want it? What's that?"
    Me "Up yours!"
    Dog "With knobs on Numpty"
    Us "Koscielny, get in!"
    There it ended. A win, 3rd Spurs below us. A season of heartache over. Jacks' bet won and then that horrible empty feeling that will not be filled until the 18th of August. It was all over! I do think though that this pic from Fever Pitch sums us up nicely for this game. Dogs the bald one!


    The season league position was this. 3RD played 38, won 21, drawn 7, lost 10 and 70 points. One ahead of Spurs. (3RD HAHA, sorry)
    I think Wenger did a good job overall where some managers might have crumbled. Yes as a season went it was not the Arsenal we wanted. For a season of highs and lows it had it all. I do however think we will not see it's like again. It gave us a full season of RVP, Sagna two broken legs, players lauded and decried in equal measure but we got through it. So as they say that was that!
    GFS had grown from a small idea to having a great group of writers and finally it's own plaque at the North Bank Terrace.
    Sadly due to site issues with Hacking I cannot give an accurate hit level as the site was rebuilt losing information but I did do some digging and can confirm that their hit rate stands at over 30k plus, no small feat with the amount of blogs about and 5 Google plus recommendations. Also the top writers is as follows.
    1. Matt Carr.
    2, The Dog
    3. The Ghost and Tazwoz joint
    4. Mrs F and Surfergirl joint.
    5.Arsenal Statto and The Beck joint.

    I will in a later blog give a full breakdown but it has taken me too long for this and could be a blog in its self!
    The site has it's own unique feel which I feel really makes it special along with the writing. To GFS keep up the good work. I look forward to reading you in the future, I also have another piece in mind for you.
    I hope you enjoyed my season review and thank you for reading.

    Royston Arnsdale @Arsenadale


    Saturday 9 June 2012

    T'was the season Part II

    Well here I am again, shall we crack on?
     
    November 2011( Silent Stan and a manc warning)
     
    Well it was Champions League time again to begin the month and off the back of the Chelsea away win it was going to be a good night at The Emirates. Except it was not. As the GFS live blog showed this was a drab affair and finish 0-0.
     
     
    Actually reading the blog it seemed the guys were having more fun than the team and some good Twitter stuff too. Anyway lets move on!
     
    So, it happened, what all Gooners had been waiting for, Silent Stan finally opened his mouth. Although what came out of it even made me wonder if he was on the same planet!  He spoke thus of Man Utd and the Glazer Family. "If I was a fan of that club, I would go there and go wow, because how could you do it any better!"
    (Me:What did he say?) "Since they took over they have won and they have increased the revenues by a huge amount." (Me:WT......?) Yup he came out in praise of a business model which saddled the club with high unwanted debt. This was the highlight of his ramblings which basically included, erm well nothing, no intent, no passion or vision. It also prompted a word of warning from the Chairman of the Man Utd Supporters, saying "We(Arsenal Fans) should be worried he has that kind of idea of running a club!" Indeed we Gooners were worried. No wonder there were protests of Green and Gold at Old Trafford, is that what Kronke wanted at Arsenal? With Kronke and Usmanov, still trying to buy shares this could still lead to a bloody mess. An American and a Russian up against each other think "Bay of Pigs"!
     
       
     
    Back to the football and the month saw another unbeaten run of games starting on the 5th. West Brom at home and a 3-0 win. Then Norwich away, another comeback kings game and a 2-1 win. A Champions League win against Borussia Dortmund 2-1 saw us top the group with 8 points followed by a Premier League draw at Home to Fulham 0-0. At this point we were 7th in the league with 23 points. We were slipping behind Spurs who were 3rd and Jack Wilshere came out with a bet that Arsenal would finish above them. £3000 from him to a charity if not. A brave and lovely thing to do!
     
    Arsenal also went out of the first trophy competition this month with a home loss to Man City 1-0 in The Carling Cup. Although the team of youngsters did the team and badge proud it was not to be. But hey, Man Utd lost to Crystal Palace and Spurs lost too so not a bad ending of the month!
     
    As for GFS well, 21 posts for the month, The South African Ghost was at his busiest, Mrs F had to run the blog for a bit while The Dog swanned off to NYC and for me, two pieces caught my eye. Not for the insights or anything like that, just the way a feeling comes out of the writing It was also a hard month with the GFS family suffering a loss, nicely written Mrs F but less said about that the better so have a smile at these.
     
     
     
    December 2011 (Deck the halls and City again?)
     
    This is either a month you love or hate in equal measure. Waiting for Christmas, loving the decorations and hoping it snows or fed up with Christmas adverts, the expense, relatives you hate visiting and and panic buying. (see review one for bad shopping hints!) Yet as all Gooners know this was a month for celebrating. Yes 125 years old! No not The Dog but the boys from the Armoury. More of that later!
     
    The month got off to a great start for Arsenal on 3rd. An away game against Wigan and a 4-0 result. Without any recognised full backs Arsenal were keeping clean sheets, Arteta was becoming a real force in the team and RVP, well what can you say. The Dog even had his blog used by Ladyarse, "Road to Wigan Pier" What was not really expected next was this!
     
    Olympiacos CL 1-3
     
    The biggest comedy game of the Champions League in my opinion. The big hitters left out by Wenger so they could rest with a chance for others to stake a claim. Well Fabianski was in shocking form and then sliced up by Vermaelen an off he goes. Vitto Mannone came on but forgets he is a goal keeper( "oh can I use my hands?") poor indeed! Still, we finished top of our group and it was a case of Manchester out London in.
     
    Everton 1-0
     
    Then came the day all Gooners had been looking forward too. The day of celebrating 125 years and a home game against Everton. It was also the GFS family Christmas away day so I am told. Everton may have come for a draw but another wonder goal from RVP and it was "1-0 to the Arsenal" I was in the North Bank that day thanks to a friend and watching that goal so close was a joy! So was the celebrating. I still have know idea who was kissing the top of my head and remembered very little of that night by the following day. If I met you at The Tollington I hope I made sense. I will leave it to GFS to sum up the day!
     
     
    As December moved on Arsenal faced Man City again but this time in the league. Sadly, despite another spirited performance the score was again 1-0 and it was annoying to hear City fans singing "you are our feeder club" and "Robin Van Persie, we'll buy when we want". Arsenal then went on with a 2-1 win at Aston Villa, a boxing day game with Wolves, cancelled then played on the 27th and a 1-1 draw and finishing December with a 1-0 home win against Queens Park Rangers. Arsenal finished 2011 in 4th with 36 points having played 19, won 11, drawn 3 and lost 5. Who would have thought that back in early September?
     
    As for GFS well another member joined, 17 posts but on the downside was hacked. Again some good reads in this month but here is one that really caught my eye.
     
     
     
     
    January 2012 ( A legend returns)
     
    The above title in brackets was about the highlight of Arsenals' month in a new year. It started poor and just got worse as the month went on. I was out of the country thankfully, but watching Spurs stretch out their point lead was very hard to take. Their was little in the way over the transfer market which made it all the more painful to see Arsenal in the mire.
     
    The league in January went like this. Fulham away and a 1-0 defeat. A poor display by the team and a red card for Djourou sums up the efforts, added to the pain an ex Arsenal player scored (Sidwell). Next Swansea out Arsenal Arsenal with a 3-2 win and Man Utd come to us and no revenge gained for the 8-2 as we go down 2-1, the boos of Gooners ringing the stadium at the Ox's exit for Arsharvin and RVP looking at the bench in disgust! Was this the beginning on the end for RVP and Arsenal? Time will tell. So at the end of the month Arsenals' league position was this. Sixth place, won 11 drawn 3 and lost 8. With 36 points to Spurs 42 it looked like mission impossible!
     
    On the bright side Thierry Henry made a comeback, some exulted, some doubted but no one could have known the script for the game against Leeds in the FA cup. I will leave it to someone who was there who wrote for GFS, Gooner Dan.
     
     
     
    The month ended with another cup game against Aston Villa and Arsenal winning 3-2, so still two lots of silverware to go for!
     
     
    Sums it up nicely! As for GFS? Well another new writer in the form of Statto but over all not the greatest month for the blog. Some issues and stuff seem to hit the site but the final blog saw a report from Scotland on Ayr Utd. My pick of this month are as follows;
     
     
     
    Well that is it for part two. Part three will be the final part and far more upbeat, maybe, heh! Once again thanks for reading and see you soon.
     
    @Arsenadale